Program Snapshot

We're so excited that you're preparing to study abroad on an IFSA-Butler program and have chosen the University of Queensland as your destination. Brisbane is located in Queensland, the sunshine capital of Australia! We're sure you're going to love studying there!

What Queensland has to offer

A large, comprehensive, research-intensive institution of international standing

A member of Australia's prestigious Group of Eight leading research universities

Ranked #55 among universities worldwide by the Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of World Universities

More than 4,000 courses in 400 programs of study

Magnificent main campus at St. Lucia, less than three miles from the city center and served by excellent public transportation

Academics

Courses

Where can I find a list of courses that the university offers?Open the University of Queensland online course catalog.

When selecting courses please make sure to consider the following:

The campus on which the course is offered: You will be attending the main campus, St. Lucia. You may not take courses at other University of Queensland campuses without permission.

The semester(s) in which the course is offered: Search for courses in the appropriate semester (semester 1 = February to June, semester 2 = July to November).

Courses numbered 3999 and below: Study abroad students are not allowed to take courses above this level because they are graduate or honors courses.

What courses am I eligible to take?As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog (see above) include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course.

For each course that you list on your preference form, be sure to check the following:

When determining which courses to take, please bear in mind that the Australian academic system is an intensive, three-year program.

First-year 1000 courses are appropriate for departments in which you have little or no prior experience.

Second-year 2000 courses will be equivalent to advanced sophomore or junior-level U.S. courses.

Third-year 3000 courses will be equivalent to senior-level U.S. courses.

Fourth-year 4000 courses and higher are part of a postgraduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.). You are not eligible to take these courses as an undergraduate study abroad student.

What if I need to take a required course?Please be aware that IFSA-Butler cannot guarantee that your host university will offer a particular course, or that you will be allowed to take that particular course. However, if you need to take a required course, you may indicate that it is required on your course preference form. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor will communicate your needs to your host university.

Gatton Campus

For those looking for a more rural experience, the University of Queensland Gatton Campus is internationally recognized as Australia's leading education and research provider in subjects related to animal science, agriculture, veterinary science, food science/nutrition and the environment. The campus is located on farmland about an hour's drive west of Brisbane.

The Gatton Campus includes a School of Veterinary Science with a vet medical center and teaching laboratories. A Native Wildlife Teaching and Research Facility has been purpose built to house native endangered species, and a number of nursery and glasshouse facilities conduct research and industry development.

Students who chose the Gatton Campus must be very independent, as the campus is located in a quiet, rural area about an hour from Brisbane. Public transportation to Brisbane is available but infrequent.

Course Restrictions

Please note that you will have to fulfill any prerequisites listed in the course description. Generally, you must have some background in the subjects you wish to study at your host institution. On the course preference form, list only those courses for which you are academically prepared.

Study abroad students can only take classes number 3999 and below. Study abroad students are not allowed to take ourses above this level because they are graduate and honors courses.

Credits

How many courses am I able to take, and how do I determine U.S. semester credit hours?IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution. A full course load at University of Queensland is 8 credits for the semester (equivalent to 15-16 U.S. semester credit hours) and 16 credits for the year (equivalent to 30-32 U.S. semester credit hours). The number of courses you must take depends on the credit value of the courses. Choose courses in any combination of credit values, as long as their total value equals a full course load. For information on the credit weight, please consult the infomration below.

Registration

What are the registration conditions?You must take a full University of Queensland course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A-F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.

You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

The course preference form is not a registration form; it is a guideline to let your host university know which courses you are interested in taking abroad. You should discuss your course selections with your academic advisor at your home institution and have several backup choices in mind. Neither you nor the university is bound by your selections, and you will not officially register for courses until you arrive on campus.

Exams

What do I need to know about exams?Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Please refer to the program dates to review the exam period for your host university. Your host university's policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting a grade appeal or academic follow-up for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at the University of Queensland. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.

Housing

Housing Options

What are my housing options?University of Queensland program students have the following housing options:

UrbanestThese student apartments are located in South Bank, Brisbane's cultural suburb and just a 15-minute commute by bus or ferry from the University of Queensland campus.

Each student will have his/her own bedroom and share the apartment with other IFSA-Butler students or international and domestic students studying at the University of Queensland or other surrounding universities. Each apartment is fully furnished and includes air conditioning and Internet service. Bedrooms are singles with a private bathroom attached. Urbanest is a self-catering residence, and there are no meal plans available. Each apartment has a fully furnished kitchen, so students have the opportunity to prepare their own meals. Nearby local restaurants, bars and cafes are also available. Bedding, cookware and utensils are provided.

International HouseInternational House is located in a lush garden setting within a five-minute walk of the university academic buildings, the campus bus stop to downtown Brisbane and local shopping malls. It is comprised of nine towers, each with five floors, housing an equal number of Australian and international students. Each floor of the tower houses four or five bedrooms (some with balconies) and a mixed-gender shared bathroom. All students have a room with a single bed, study desk and chair, storage/bookshelf, full length wardrobe, mirror and shelving, high speed internet connection and phone with personalized number.

Residents receive 21 meals per week. Facilities (including its recreational area, half basketball court and computer labs) and services are extensive and of a high standard. There are a limited number of spaces in University of Queensland Residential Colleges, so if this option interests you, please submit an application as soon as possible. Please note: If you are placed in a residential college, you will incur a supplemental charge six to eight weeks after you have arrived. This charge is in addition to your base IFSA-Butler housing fee and is estimated to be around USD$3,000.

If your home college pays the housing fee on your behalf, this additional fee for residential colleges may be your responsibility. Be sure to verify which housing costs your home college is willing to cover.

Gatton CampusStudents attending Queenland's Gatton Campus have the opportunity to live on campus in halls of residence or off-campus in homestays or student apartments.

Meals

Students are responsible for purchasing and preparing their own meals. See the Housing Options tab for more information.

International House residents receive 21 meals per week as part of the supplemental housing fee. This fee is in addition to your base IFSA-Butler housing fee and is estimated to be around USD$3,000. This fee may not be covered for some students whose home campuses have a direct billing arrangement with IFSA-Butler. Contact your home campus study abroad office for clarification on which housing and meal fees are your responsibility.

Housing FAQs

Is my housing included in the program fee?Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation at the university while classes are in session. You will be responsible for any commuting costs you may incur. Australian university housing requires students to move out during breaks between semesters. If you are studying abroad for a year and wish to remain in residence during the vacation period(s), you must notify the university housing office upon arrival to make necessary arrangements. Staying in residence during these breaks may incur additional costs not covered by the IFSA-Butler program fee.

When will I receive my housing assignment?You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in Australia for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.

Can I arrange my own housing? Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you've made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.

Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing by the program application deadline for your term abroad, listed at the top of this page. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after the deadline.

Location Info

Living and Studying Abroad in Brisbane, Australia

About BrisbanePopulation: 2.3 millionLocation: State of Queensland

City features

The state capital of Queensland and the third largest city in Australia

A thriving multicultural city of tropical charm with a laid-back outdoor lifestyle

A subtropical climate with 283 days of sunshine each year, more than any other Australian city

The region's unique plants and animals are a common sight throughout the city

A great nightlife with a casino, clubs and activities

Do more!

Travel west from Brisbane to national parks of subtropical rainforests and mountains

Head north to visit Sunshine Coast beaches, rainforests, tourist attractions and wildlife parks

Head south to the Gold Coast-"surfers' paradise"-and its miles of beaches, outdoor activities, theme parks, nightlife and shopping

Explore the largest islands in the world at North Stradbroke, Moreton and Fraser islands

Visit the Great Barrier Reef, the largest World Heritage area with 1,625 species of fish and 1,400 types of coral

Dates & Fees

Program Dates

Your program end date may change due to circumstances beyond IFSA-Butler's control. Upon arrival at your host university, be sure to verify your exam schedule and program end date. We also strongly recommend that you investigate fees and penalties associated with your airline tickets in case you need to make date or route changes.

All program support services end on the “Program Ends” date.

Exams must be taken where and when scheduled. Under no circumstances may students request that an exam time be changed. In Australia exams are taken under formal examination conditions, and changes cannot be made for individuals.

Program Fees

Calendar Year and Semester 1 Payments Due: December 15Academic Year and Semester 2 Payments Due: May 15

Program Fee BillsIFSA-Butler will send a single bill for tuition, services and housing. Any bills for tuition differentials and/or supplemental housing fees will be sent separately. Students who opt for independent housing will not be charged the housing component of the program fee.

HousingThe housing component of our program fee is based on the average cost of local student self-catering accommodation, usually a shared room in a regular dormitory, apartment or house without any extra features.

Students who choose to live in International House will have a supplemental housing fee of around $3,000, which covers 21 meals per week. If your home college pays the housing fee on your behalf, the supplemental fee for International House may be your responsibility. Be sure to verify which housing costs your home college is willing to cover.

Personal Cost Estimates

These figures are designed to assist students with financial planning but are only estimates based on past students’ experiences at the current exchange rate. They do not include any entertainment or vacation travel costs. Meals are estimated based on the cost of a weekly standard grocery shop with one meal out. If you plan to eat out once a day or more, we recommend using a higher estimate. If you have dietary restrictions or follow a specific diet (gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, organic, etc), you may also wish to budget more due to the higher cost of specialty food items.

The above numbers are general estimates of expenses during a program abroad. We recommend taking into account your current spending habits, the cost of living in your host country and the current exchange rate. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor can be helpful as you attempt to work on a personal budget for your experience abroad.

Commuting: Estimates are for transportation between housing and university. Transportation for personal or recreational purposes is not included in the above estimates.

All costs are in U.S. dollars.

Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in Australia:

Program Advisor Emma Diebold assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Emma completed her undergraduate degree in Geography: Travel & Tourism at Ball State University. She went abroad with the BSU Geography Department to Eastern and Central Europe and has enjoyed personal travels to several destinations including Belgium, France, Ireland, Peru, Ecuador and The Bahamas. Emma joined the IFSA-Butler team to aid students who want to explore the world and advises students planning to study abroad in England. Emma can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, ext. 4258.

Student Accounts Coordinator Becki Niccum assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Becki can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-3077.

Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler since 2000, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.

Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office, including our student services coordinator Rebecca Duell. Click here to read more about Rebecca.

Academic Records Coordinator Abby Miller graduated from Butler University where she worked as a guide for international students from all over the world. From that experience and combined with her own world travels, she knows the amazing experiences that studying abroad can provide. Abby is excited to work with IFSA-Butler students and to help answer any questions about their academic records. Abby can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, ext. 4217.